The Sacred Duty of Every Man : 4.

The S.P.C.A. would be more successful in its attempts if it got more active public sympathy and co-operation, which are unfortunately conspicuous by their absence. As a matter of fact, the work of the S.P.C.A. ought to be the work of the people--to prevent all cruelty to animals is the sacred duty of every human being worth the name. The entire human society should be a society for the prevention of cruelty to animals!


The Jains as a community are a force towards such minimising of cruelty to animals and also towards the positive part of it--the carrying on of actual welfare work in connection with these animals. They encourage and aid the opening of Pinjarapoles where old cows, bullocks and horses, and animals that have become sick, lame or otherwise incapacitated are sent. The public should also take earnest and vigorous steps to establish private-owned veterinary hospitals as another measure of developing positive welfare work. Of course, there are governmental institutions; but it is not very flattering to the public that such humanitarian work should be left entirely to the administration. It should be the pride and privilege of men to sponsor such work through public charity.


In Delhi, the Jain community maintains a unique institution. It is a Hospital and an Asylum for Birds. Even though many human beings may not know it, almost all birds are aware of it. It is a wonderful way in which the birds recognise it as a haven where they will get treatment, kindness and every sort of facility. It is always full. Not only the domestic birds such as the pigeon and the parrot, but every kind of bird resorts to this Asylum. Operations are performed; and sick birds are treated with medicines; and diet also is provided for them. You know there are electric wires and fans in offices in Delhi: innumerable birds get injured in their flight in and out of the city--from small birds like sparrows to big birds like kites.


Whoever happens to pick up such injured birds sends them to the Hospital. And, birds which are able to hop up to the Asylum, wherever they are, somehow or the other manage to come and present themselves at the Hospital for treatment. You know birds are migratory creatures. Birds like sea-gulls migrate in unbelievably large numbers, in flocks of thousands. It appears that as they pass over Delhi, it is their practice, if they have got ailing members in the flock, invariably to come and settle down in the Asylum until they are well! The migratory season is a busy season for the Hospital. This Hospital is completely managed by the Jain community in Delhi. It is the duty of others also. This virtue of kindness and compassion is not the exclusive privilege of any class of people; all people should emulate this laudable work of the Jains.

Sri Swami Chidananda

To be continued  ...